Abstract :
Introduction: Spleen is the largest haemo-lymphoid organ located in the left hypochondrium and partly in the epigastrium between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm. The size and weight of the spleen varies with age and gender. In adults it is usually 12 cms in length, 7 cms broad and 3-4 cms in thickness. It weighs around 150gms. On the superior border, near the anterior end, there may be one or two notches, persisting from the lobulated form of the spleen in early foetal life.
Spleen acts as a filter for blood, storage of lymphocytes and platelets. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen. It metabolizes the haemoglobin removed from old senescent RBCs. The knowledge of morphometric variations of spleen helps clinicians, radiologist and surgeons to differentiate it from the various splenic injuries and pathologies.
Aims: The aim of the study is to find the morphometric variations of spleen.
Materials and Methods: The present study was done on 50 adult human spleens of unknown sex. The morphometric features like shape, presence of notches, length, breadth and thickness were noted.
Results: Out of 50 spleens studied, five different shapes of the spleen were observed. 19 spleens were wedge shaped (38%), 12 spleens were triangular shaped (24%), 9 spleens were tetrahedral (18%), 5 spleens were oval shaped (10%), 5 spleens were irregular shaped (10%). 31 spleens (62%) had notches on its superior border, 2 spleens (4%) had notches on its inferior border, 12 spleens (24%) had notches both in their superior and inferior borders, 5 spleens (10%) were found with absence of notch on either of its borders. The presences of splenic fissure on diaphragmatic surface were noted in 2 spleens. The length of the spleen varied between 7cms to 15cms, the breadth of the spleens varied between 4cms to 12cms and the thickness of the spleens varied between 2cms to 6cms.
Conclusion: The knowledge of morphometric features of the spleen is of great importance to the clinicians, radiologists and surgeons for their surgical procedure.
Keyword :
Spleen, Shapes, Notches, Variations.